Accessory shopping in Canada
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A
Cannabis Culture Headquarters
For arguments in support of legalization and the campaign to release cannabis advocate Marc Emery from prison for distributing marijuana, duck into the friendly shop and offices of the British Columbia Marijuana Party, in an area of town still known as ‘Vansterdam.’ With books, hemp clothing and associated paraphernalia, the store also houses a back room where (for $5) you can use the vaporizers to chill out with like-minded buddies.
reviewed
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B
Smoking Lilly
Only a couple of people can fit in this tiny boutique at any given time - try something on and you'll be behind a curtain in the middle of the shop - but it's worth the squeeze to check out eclectic garments and accessories displaying an art school chic. Tops with insect prints and skirts displaying the Periodic Table are hot items, but there are also lots of cute handbags, socks and brooches to tempt your credit card.
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C
Erin Templeton
There’s a funky array of vintage and consignment clothing and jewelry here, but the stars of the show are the leather bags, belts, hats and purses made on-site by Erin herself from new and recycled materials (she trained in shoemaking at a London college). They’re the kind of must-have items that are hard to resist, no matter how many you already have back home.
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Umbrella Shop
Often the only outdoor gear you need in Vancouver is a good brolly to fend off the relentless rain. This family-run company started in 1935 and has just the thing, with hundreds of bright and breezy designs that should put a smile on the face of any torrentially drenched visitor. Duck inside, choose a great umbrella then launch yourself back into the tempest.
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E
Birks
A Vancouver institution since 1879 – hence the landmark freestanding clock outside – Birks crafts exquisite heirloom jewelry and its signature line of timepieces. It’s an upscale place, similar to Tiffany & Co in the USA, and ideal for picking up that special something in a classy, blue embossed box for a deserving someone back home.
reviewed
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F
Lazy Susan’s
An eclectic Aladdin’s cave lined with tempting trinkets like Scrabble-tile earrings, reproduction old-school greeting cards and obsolete ties transformed into coin purses, it’s hard to walk away from here without buying that kitsch-perfect gift for someone back home – possibly a cactus-shaped teapot or a broach resembling a palm tree.
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Womyns’ Ware
The welcoming staff at this low-key, ultra-friendly shop – which specializes in an eye-popping menu of women’s sex toys – are happy to explain the workings of the ‘family jewels’ harness’ or ‘nun’s habit flogger.’ There’s also a good array of books and some games to put the fun back into your sexual shenanigans. Fair-trade committed.
reviewed
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H
Edie Hats
A cozy and convivial mood-lit jungle of classic and contemporary headgear, squeeze in and try on a few panama hats and a couple of rainbow-colored toques (if you have to ask what a toque is, they’ll know you’re not Canadian). Staffers are ever-friendly and have an irregular habit of handing out choccies if they like the look of you.
reviewed
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Urban Empire
This wacky, all-out, kitsch trinket shop is just the kind of place you can pick up that Crazy Cat Lady action figure you’ve always wanted. Other must-haves include bacon-strip sticking plasters and dog-butt flavored chewing gum, which means you’ll have plenty of ideas for souvenirs for your friends back home.
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J
Rubber Rainbow Condom Company
Formerly in the West End, this fun, funky condom and lube store serves all manner of experiment-inviting accessories, including studded, vibrating and ‘full-fitting strawberry flavored’ varieties. Ask for a selection pack if you’re going to be in town for a while – you never know how lucky you might get.
reviewed
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John Fluevog
Legendary Vancouver-based designer John Fluevog has always marched to the beat of his own drum, and this local favorite now carries bags and a line of hemp Veggie Vogs in addition to the famed granny platform boots and classic footwear. Reheeling and resoling is also done here.
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